A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) outlines ongoing challenges in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Community Care Program, which allows eligible veterans to receive care from non-VA health providers. The report, published on February 12, 2025, notes that while the program has significantly expanded since the VA MISSION Act of 2018, issues with scheduling, wait times, and contract oversight remain. GAO has made 27 recommendations to improve the program, nine of which the VA has fully implemented.
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One of the primary concerns identified in the report is the lack of standardized time frames for scheduling and attending community care appointments. While the VA has set guidelines for processing referrals and scheduling appointments, it has not established clear requirements for when the appointments must occur. This gap has led to inconsistencies in veterans’ access to care. GAO also found that the VA’s Referral Coordination Initiative, intended to streamline scheduling, lacks proper guidance and oversight, leading to varied implementation across different regions.
Another area of concern is the oversight of community care contracts. The GAO found that the VA has not developed a complete set of oversight documents to ensure contract compliance. In an August 2024 report, GAO identified weaknesses in the VA’s monitoring of community care networks, prompting three additional recommendations, which the VA has agreed to address. Additionally, a November 2022 report highlighted the need for improved data collection on community care providers, a recommendation the VA has since implemented.
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The number of veterans receiving community care has risen from approximately 1.1 million in 2014 to 2.8 million in 2023, reflecting a growing reliance on non-VA health services. While the VA has taken steps to address issues in the program, 17 recommendations remain partially implemented. GAO emphasizes that fully addressing these recommendations would improve veterans’ access to timely and quality care. The report underscores the importance of setting clear scheduling goals, strengthening contract oversight, and ensuring consistent program implementation across the VA system.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors.
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